Offshore wind energy and passive fishing – The energetic method to make use of area

The passive fishing benefit

One resolution is to mix wind farms with passive fishing. The enchantment of this methodology lies within the title. The use of static gear reminiscent of traps, cages, creels, handlines, or gill nets, versus energetic strategies like trawling, permits extra cautious, much less impactful fishing strategies. Smaller boats can function between generators, as an illustration, and passive fishing minimises the chance of nets snagging on cables and damaging tools.

“Passive gear stands still. It remains where you left it. That means it’s easier to have the gear in highly controlled areas such as an offshore wind farm with safety zones,” says Peter Ljungberg, Environmental Assessment Specialist on the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. 

Vertical nets and selective traps have one other benefit: they’re extra sustainable and selective than trawling, which drags large nets throughout massive areas of the seabed that catch all the pieces of their path.

“You don’t get nearly as much bycatch with passive fishing,” says Wilms. “These methods target specific species, and there has been greater focus on minimising bycatch of seabirds and marine mammals. It’s also a question of reducing seafloor impact and cable risks.” 

Addressing different benefits of utilizing passive fishing strategies, Ljungberg stresses that passive fishing retains the catch alive.

“Traps can work almost as a protective cover—you can release the fish you don’t need,” he explains. “And it’s easier to keep birds and marine mammals like seals away from the fish you want to catch, as well as from the gear.”

Building belief by means of collaboration

Vattenfall, along with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is testing the passive fishing idea by means of the WIND4COCO challenge at its Lillgrund wind farm within the Baltic Sea. The challenge, situated at Sweden’s solely offshore wind farm, builds on a hardly ever seen mixture of research executed each pre- and post-construction of the wind farm, giving researchers a singular long-term view of how marine life responds to offshore wind. Now, practically 14 years later, scientists are again to monitoring adjustments in fish communities and are exploring a brand new query: Can wind farms change into co-use areas for clear power and sustainable fishing? By trialling completely different low-impact fishing approaches, the challenge goals to grasp how these two actions can share the identical waters.

Ljungberg sees the challenge as a superb strategy to examine the results on sea fauna. There are just a few ongoing worldwide research, however he’d prefer to see extra. 

“There hasn’t been enough analysis of this subject yet. To me, this is surprising. More research would make it easier to identify the effects on fish fauna that come from wind parks versus effects that are just due to general environmental changes. We need to be able to monitor more.”   

But the initiative goes past answering vital analysis questions.

“Our collaborative trials with local fishermen inside offshore wind farms are not just about testing gear or co-use potential—they’re about building trust.” says Mats Jarnhammar, Senior Stakeholder Manager at Vattenfall. ”By inviting stakeholders into the method early, we create shared possession of the area, which helps ease tensions and fosters extra constructive dialogue with fishing organizations.”

Beyond fishing: a multi-use future

The co-use of area can create many various alternatives , not just for the fishing trade or power corporations, however for the safety of our oceans as effectively.  

“As offshore activity grows, we need to use the same waters more intelligently,” says Tim Wilms. “Through nature‑inclusive design, for example reef‑enhancing scour protection or features that create shelter and feeding surfaces, wind farms can support marine life while producing clean power. And, where regulations and safety allow, passive fisheries can operate between turbines, reducing gear conflict and helping us use space better. The goal is co‑use through smart spatial planning, with passive fishing in wind farms as one workable element”.

It is evident that passive fishing is only one piece of the puzzle. Future offshore wind farms might additionally host aquaculture, reminiscent of seaweed farming, nature conservation efforts and even floating photo voltaic panels. These concepts align carefully with Vattenfall’s Biodiversity Transition Plan 2030, which promotes innovation and options that profit each nature and society.

What’s subsequent?

The analysis continues with extra fieldwork actions deliberate at Lillgrund for 2026. Yet, the imaginative and prescient is crystal clear: a future the place renewable power, sustainable fisheries, and marine conservation work hand in hand. Co-use of ocean area isn’t only a necessity; it’s a chance to rethink how we share our seas.